"The private companies do not have a vested interest in providing for smaller markets. Think of it, if you owned the water for Chicago and some little downstate town, which one would you spend money on to fix up and maintain?"
I've been in the water business for 25 years, and I do not find this statement to be true! Our small company was purchased by a very, very large water company, and they have sunk a huge bundle into upgrading the plant, the system, etc..
Glad to hear it. But I have seen it back fire also. A lot depends on the long term goals of the share holders.